Evaluate (-1/2)^3

${(- \frac{1}{2})}^{3}$

Step 1

Use the power rule ${(a b)}^{n} = a^{n} b^{n}$ to distribute the exponent.

Apply the product rule to $- \frac{1}{2}$ .

${(- 1)}^{3} {(\frac{1}{2})}^{3}$

Apply the product rule to $\frac{1}{2}$ .

${(- 1)}^{3} \frac{1^{3}}{2^{3}}$

Step 2

Raise $- 1$ to the power of $3$ .

$- \frac{1^{3}}{2^{3}}$

Step 3

One to any power is one.

$- \frac{1}{2^{3}}$

Step 4

Raise $2$ to the power of $3$ .

$- \frac{1}{8}$

Step 5

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$- \frac{1}{8}$

Decimal Form:

$- 0.125$